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Cheap Tweak..Mass Loading

If you are dissatisfied with the sound of your system, try this before spending big bucks on upgrading of audio components. I borrowed 3 bags of lead shot (25 lbs) each from a friend and placed one on each of my 2 power conditioners (one for power amp and analog sources and one for digital) and a bag one my power amp. The improvement in sound was very dramatic, bigger than component upgrades that I have done in the past. Soundstage is huge with more depth. Dynamics at high listening levels is unbelievable. Resolution and detail at low levels is amazing. The bass is so tight it's like a sledge hammer hitting you square in the chest. For $45 I have seen a much bigger improvement in my system than I ever dreamed that I would. If you have not mass loaded your components..Do it!
slowhand
brianw
373 posts
 
You can also try using sand abrasives used for commercial sand blasting.
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
glen: as albert & sean correctly note (of course) this doesn't work on all components and the critical mass my vary among the components for which it does. once you determine on which pieces mass loading works and the amount required, you can have the shot sewn into quite a lovely custom bag, matching your curtains, upholstery or whatever. see, again, marthastewart.com (i'm lobbying a'gon to link to martha's site; i think it's indispensable for discriminating audiophiles). perhaps this may be a perfect place to involve your spouse more in your audio hobby. perhaps not. -cfb
glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
Thanks CFB! Oddly enough while I was at Martha’s web-site picking out some lovely fabric, I went ahead and purchased a few matching throw pillows for the couch. I also hid the buckshot as a precautionary measure.: ~)
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I run my VTL tube monos 24hrs/day on weekend and 25kg load of lead shots would block the heat dissipation from transformer and tubes as well.
BTW Do I need to mass load my 50lb Monarchy DT40b CD-transport?
AR PH3 phono that I currently posess "likes" to be away from top and bottom as well(i.e. in the air) so I use racing cones for it. Is there any air-bearing tweaks for that tweak-hungry phono?
slowhand OP
610 posts
 
Sorry guys, I did not mean to imply that mass loading would work in every case for everyone, only that it is a cheap tweak to try before spending big bucks on upgrades.
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